Process and apparatus for distilling solid carbonaceous material



May 7, 1929. H. KoPPERs 1,712,082

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR DISTILLING SOLD CARBONACEOUS MATERIAL FiledJune 5.l 1922 OOQOOO @4f/ggf@ @am Paten@ Maf?, 1929.

UNITED STATES 1,712,082 PATENT OFFICE.

L'CEIEIIII'RICH KOPPEBS, 0F ESSEN-EUHR, GERMANY.

PROCESS AND APrAnATUs Foa DI's'rILLING soLrD cAmaoNAcEoUs MATERIAL.

VApplication lediune 5, 1922, Serial' No. 566,012, and in Germany August11, 1921.

My invention relates to a process of an -apparatus for distillingcarbonaceous materialwith a view to producing oils and other products.

The distillation of fuel at low temperature' causes very reatdiiiculties, no matter whether heating rom inside or from outside y beresortpd to, because on the one hand a certain maximum temperature mustnot be exceeded, while on the other hand it is necessary to transmit tothe substance treated the amount of heat required. Besides in the plantsheretofore in use, not all the heat, nor even the major part of it istransmitted to .the fuel, but it heats also and sometimes principallythe gas chamber of the retort or oven. This causes an undesirablesubsequent -heat action on thegases of distillation resulting insecondary decomposition.

According to my invention now, the conditions for satisfactorilydistilling carbonaceous material are fulfilled by introducing.

solid bodies into the distillation chamber to- V gether with theAsubstance to be treated, such v bodies having previously been heated tothe distillation temperature required or permissible and acting as heattransmitters. These .bodies are introduced in sucli'quantities as tosupply the amount of heat required to the substance bei-ng treated'.When the residue is removed, the saidbodies are removed along with ittobe used again after having been reheated. In this manner the heat canbe regulated very exactly as to` degree Vand '35y amount so that. theparticularconditions .prevailing in the distillation at low temperatureand, production of low temperature tar I are fulfilled. Moreover theheat transmission occurs practically exclusively Within the 40 materialvsubjected. to distillation, so that 5,0' with a helix on the inside bywhich the material and the solid bodies are conveyed from one end to theother. The solid bodies, preferably heavy steel balls,l at .the sametime reduce the coke-like residues to pieces of suitable size. l

It has been proposed in the artof .cokng the apparatus.

at low temperature, to use such balls in a -revolving cylinder with.inside or outside heating for disintegrating the semi-coke produced.The operaton is about the same as that of thewell known ball mill.vApart from the fact that according to my invention the principal objectof the balls is to supply heat, their mechanical action on the semicokeis entirely different, as shown by practicalexperience. The hot balls oncoming in contact with the fresh material at the charging end of theretort, are immediately covered with a layer or crust of materialsubjected to distillation which gradually increases in thickness. Whenthis layer or crust has attained a certain thickness, it is broken bythe energy of the down-falling balls. In `this manner it is possible toobtain semi-cokeof suitable size, that isabout the size of a fist.

Experiments have shown that the distillation process `can be consideredas-completed when the balls have cooled downto-about 450 to 500 degreescentigrade, corresponding t'o a temperature of the semi-coke of about Asthe balls return the 350 to 400 degrees. heat corresponding to thistemperature to the heating furnace where they are again heated up to thetemperature required, it

might appear that no losses are caused vby the high temperature at whichthe balls leave In fact, however, there is a'n indirect loss of heat inthe heating furnace as the furnace is heated after the counter. currentprinciple and' thereforethe gases leave the furnace at a temperature'which is 'equal to the temperature at which the charge is introduced. Ifthe balls, whose temperature isstill 400 to 500 degrees, wereimmediately returned to the heating furnace,

a considerable loss would occur owing to the obviously still highertemperature at which the gases leave the heating furnace.

According to my invention, this loss is avoided by utilizing theyresidual heat of the balls for preheating theV fresh distillationmaterial after-they have performed their principal function. It has beenfound that distillation is also improved by such preheating. The ballswhen leaving the distillation apparatus have a temperature at which theyare unable to heat the substance, for instance, coal, to such an extentas to make it pasty which wonldcause it to bake together and to sticktothe balls. In consequence thereof the conditions for the furtherutiliing of the fresh material are in particularly good accordance.

In the drawing aflixed to this specifica'- V tion and forming partthereof, an apparatus for performing my improved process is illustrateddiagrammatically in section by Way of example.

Referring to the drawing, a is a revolving drum provided with a helix b.The material to be treated is supplied to the drum by a chute d and theballs g are supplied from a furnace f to the drum or distillationcylinder a by a chute or connection e after' having been previouslyheated to 800 to 850 degrees C. in the heating furnace f. As soon as thehot balls get in contact with the fresh ma-` terial a layer or crust isformed on them while the surface of the balls is cooled to such anextent that decomposition of the gases by contact with the surface ofthe balls is prevented. However, heat is continually supplied to thesurface o the balls from the inside similarly as when soaking ingots inreheating furnaces, such heat assisting in the distillation of thematerial.

'llhe cylinder a ma be heated from inside or outside, if'desire forinstance for preventing radiation losses or for other reasons. Thisadditional heating, however, if any should be maintained within suchlimits that the phenomena connected with distillation by exclusiveheating of the cylinder will not occur.

@n their way through the cylinder a the crusts. formed on the balls willincrease in thickness until they become so thick and` nected with. thecylinder 'ai and is suppliedI to a conveyor la by Way of the funnel 'L'.The gases of distillation are conveyed to a receiver o through the pipen. rlhe balls g which have a temperature ofiabout 40() to 500 degreesC., roll to the lower end of a worm p through a, pipe` Z, and the Worm praises the balls to a pipe lm. leading them to .an incased conveyor Wormg which is supplied with fresh material through a hopper a'. Here, theballsmix with the Cold material such as coal, to which they transmittheir residual heat, and are conducted to a screen a over Which theypass to a connection to return to the heating furnace f at a temeratureof 100 to 150 degrees. "Ihe preeated coal descends to the drum a,through the chute d.

As the balls 'are comparatively cool when getting in contact with thefresh coal, the coal is heated to a lesser extent in the conveyor g thanin the drum a, viz to about 100 to 200 degrees C., so that it is onlydried, but no distillation can occur. This improves the imanesconditions for distillation and prevents the admixture of Water vapoursto the distillation gases, as the vapours are removed from the conveyorg by aspiration.

I do not intend hereinto cover the broad idea, which is not myinvention, of effecting loW temperature carbonization by heat impartedto the charge in the distilling apparatus by means of foreign solidbodies introduced into the distilling chambers, such solid bodies beingpreviously heated to the requisite temperature and used in such quantityas to effect thedistillation, after which they are separated again fromthe distilled carbonaceous matter, but I intend herein to cover only theparticular method and means Iclaim for carrying out the said broad idea,which was previously disclosed to me by Franz Puening, of Pittsburgh,Penn.

I Wish it to be understood that I do not chamber with said-solid bodiesafter they have been so heated; distilling hydrocarbons from thematerial While in the distillation chamber with the solid bodies mainlyby Athe heat stored in the solid bodies in Contact with the `material insaid chamber; and

causingnthe'hot solid heat-storing bodies in lOO the distillationchamber to Wander progresf sively therethrough during the distillationin said chamber.

2. The method of distilling solid distillablecarbonaceous material toeifect distillation of hydrocarbons therefrom Which consists in: storingheat effective for such distillation in solid heat-storing bodies,distinct and separable from said material, by heating them separatelyfrom the material to be distilled; then bringing the material to bedistilled into contact in a distillation chamber with said solid bodiesafter they have been so heated;

.distilling hydrocarbons from the material While in the distillationchamber with the solid bodies mainly by the heat stored in the solidbodies in contact with the material in said chamber; and causing thematerial being distilled in the distillation chamber to Wanderprogressively therethrough together and in contact with the hot solidheat-storing bodies therein during the distillation in said chamber.

3. The method of distilling solid distill chamber;

lable carbonaceous material to"efl'ec't vdistillation of hydrocarbonstherefrom which yconsists in: storing heat effective for such ,causingthe said bodies in the distillation chamber to pass progressivelytherethrough and through the material being distilled therein during thedistillation -in saidchamber.

4. The kmethod of distilling solid distillable carbonaceous material to'eifectdistillation of hydrocarbons therefrom consisting in: heating aplurality of solid heat-storing bodies outside a distillation chamber toa. high temperature to store therein the heatv to effect suchdistillation; distilling hydro-s carbonsfrom said carbonaceous AmaterialWhile in the distillation chamber Withthe hot solid bodies mainly bythe' heat stored innthe solid bodies in contact With the material insaid chamber; causing said bodies to. enter the distillation chamber oneafter the other and to Wander progressively through said chambertogether and in contact with' the materialbeing distilled during thedistherein thev heat to effect 'such distillation;-

distilling hydrocarbons from said carbonaceous material While in arotary distillation' chamber with theuhot solid bodies4l mainly by theheat stored in the solid bodies in contact with the material in saidchamber; causing the said bodies to enter the rotary distillationchamber one after the other and to Wander progressively through saidchamber and in contact With the material being distilled during thedistillation in` said chamber; and separa-tng said bodies from saidmaterial after they have left the 6. The method of 'distilling soliddistillable Acarbonaceous material to effect distillation ofhydrocarbonsl therefrom consisting in: heating a plurality of solidheat-storing` bodies -outside a distillation chamber to a hightemperature to store therein the heat to effect such distillation;distilling hydro-,

carbons from said solid diisntillable carbonaceous material While in thedistillation chamber With the hot solid bodies mainly by the heat storedinthe solid bodies in contact with the material in said chamber; causingthe said bodies to enter the distillation chamber, one after the other,and to vvander progressively through said chamber together and incontact with the material being distilled during the distillation insaid'chamber; separating said bodies from said material after they haveleft the chamber; `and admixing said separated bodies `While lowered intemperature by the distilcarbons'from said solid distillablecarbonaceous material While in the distillation chamber with the hotsolidbodie's mainly by the heat stored in the solid bodies in contactwith the material in said chamber; causing said bodies to enter thedistillation chamber one after the other and to Wander progressivelythrough said chamber together and in Contact with the material to bedistilled during the distillationin said chamber; separatingsaid bodiesfrom said material after they have left the chamber; admiXing saidseparated bodies to fresh solid distillable carbonaceous materialto drythe saln'e prior to its entrance to said distillation chamber;separating said bodies from said fresh material, before it enters saidchamber and heating them again.

8. `In apparatus for distilling carbonaceous material tov effectdistillation of hydrocarbons therefrom by heatfstored in solidheatfstoring bodies,- in combination: a rotary distillation cylinderadapted for effecting carbonization by means of heat 'stored in solidheat-storing bodies;a helixwithin said cylinder;,a screen near the rearend of said cylinder and so arranged With respect thereto as to receive;separate and discharge from said. cylinder bothv solidheat-storingbodies and carbonaceous material distilledv thereby; andopenings in said cylinder for introducing solid carbonaceous materialand solid heat-storing bodies and for removing them from said cylinderand delivering both to said screen.

9. A distillin'g plant of the kind described, comprising in combination:a rotarydistillation cylinder; a helix Within said cy1in.

der; a screen near the rear end of said cylinder, whereby to separatesolid heat-storing tion between said conveyor-wormand saidf'v bodiesfrom carbonaceous material distilled thereby; and openings in saidcylinder for introducing carbonaceous material and solid heat-storingbodies, and for removing the solid heat-storing bodies and thecarbonized mateiial from said cylinder; an encased conveyor-Worm adaptedto work in a direction opposite to the helix and to convey freshmaterial and thessolid bodies-escaping from said cylinder tovwrd theentrance opening of said cylinder; a connection for delivery of solidbodies from said cylinder to said encased conveyor-Worm; means forseparating the solid heat-storing bodies from the for introducingcarbonaceous material and solid heat-storing bodies; and for removingthe solid heat-storing bodies' and the carbonized material from saidcylinder; means disposed near the rear end of said cylinder forconveying the solid bodies to an encased conveyor-worin; an encasedconveyor-worm adapted to work in a direction opposite to the helix andto convey fresh material and the solid bodies escaping from said.cylinder towards the entrance openings of said cylinder; means forseparatinfr the soild heatstoring bodies from lthe caiionaceous materialin the encased' conveyor-worm; a connection for delivery;` ofcarbonaceous material separated from the solid heatwtoring bodies to therotary distillation cylinder; a-

furnace for heating said bodies; a connecfurnace; and a connectionbetween said fui'- nace and said distillation cylinder.

11. A distilling plant of the kind described eomprising, in combination:a rotary distillation cylinder; a helix within said cylinder; a screennear the rear end of said cylinder; whereby to separate solidheat-storingbodies from carbonaceous material distilled thereby;openings in said cylinder for introducing carbonaceous material andsolid heat-storing bodies, and for removing the solid heat-storingbodies and the earbonized material from said cylinder; means for liftingsaid solid bodies to an encased conveyor-worm; an encased conveyor- Wormabove said cylinder; adapted to work i in a direction opposite to thehelix and to convey fresh material and the solid bodies escaping fromsaid cylinder toward the entrance opening of said cylinder; means forseparating 'the solid heat-storing bodies from the carbonaceous materialin the encased conveyor-Worm; a connection for delivery of carbonaceousmaterial separated from the stances being distilled, in combination: a.

drier having an inlet and an outlet for mate- `rial to be dried therein;a distillation chamber; heating means for free solid bodiescommunicating withthe outlet of said drier` so as to receive free solidbodies therefrom and communicating with said distillation chamber so asto supply free solid bodies thereto; and means for conveying free solidbodies from'the distillation chamber into the inlet of said drier.

13 In apparatus for distilling bituminous substances with the aid offree solid bodies that are made to make contact with the substancesbeing distilled; in combination :v a rotatable drying drum; a furnace; arotatable distillation dium; conveying means for conveying free solidbodies from said drying drum to said furnace; conveying means forconveying saidfree solid bodies from said furnace to saiddistillatioi'io drum; and a conveying means for conveying said solidbodies from said distillation drum to said drying drum; substantially asspecified.

14. In apparatus for distilling bituminous substances with the aid ofheated free solid bodies that are made to makecontact with thebituminous substances, in combination: a drier having an inlet and anoutlet for I'naterialV -to be dried therein; means for supplyingbituminous substances to the inlet to said drier; a distillation drum;means for supplying bituminous substances from the outlet from saiddrier to said drum; heating means for heating said free solid bodies;

means'for Supplying free solidbodies from the outlet of said drier tosaidv heating means; means for supplyingr free -solid bodies from said,heating means to said drum; and means for returning free solid bodies.from the inlet to said drum to said drier. v I

In testimony whereof I atiix my signature.

HEINRICH KoPPERs.

